Nicolet students hear anti-bullying presentation, inspired by Columbine victim



Many of us still haven't forgotten what happened over a decade ago, on April 20th, 1999, when Columbine High School became the scene of one of America's worst school shootings. One teacher and 12 students were killed that day, and among them, was 17-year-old Rachel Scott. Now, students at Nicolet High School are working to fulfill one of Scott's passions: urging everyone to show compassion, with an anti-bullying campaign called "Rachel's Challenge."

Scott's collection of diaries and essays, as well as Scott's behavior express while she was alive, inspired her parents to create the anti-bullying campaign in their daughter's honor. Presenters travel around the world to share Scott's story, and challenge students to start a chain-reaction of compassion. More than 15 million people have heard Scott's story, and many students have written the family, sharing the impact that Scott's message had on their lives. Students say the presentation creates a profound reaction in students.

"As soon as the presentation was done, everyone had a look on their faces as if they've just been shocked, as if they've just seen something that has changed their lives completely," Nicolet High School senior Omar Abualy said.

"Rachel's Challenge" presenter Erica Despain says there were 150 students who wrote to the family after hearing the presentation, just last year.

"They said 'I had plans to end my own life, and Rachel's Challenge has shown me that I can make a difference, and I can be a positive difference in somebody's life, and that I am worth something,'" Despain said.

"Rachel's Challenge" will be presented to the public Tuesday night in the Nicolet High School auditorium.